Dispenser for disinfectant and the like



1962 w. D. WOOLDRIDGE 3,019,451.

DISPENSER FOR DISINFECTANT AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 2, 1960 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM D. WOOLDRIDGE QM 7? M ATTORNEY Unite States Patent Okla.

Filed Nov. 2, 1960, Ser. No. 66,852 2 Claims. (Cl. 4-228) This invention relates to dispensing, and more particularly to means for intermittently dispensing fluid for example, disinfectant, deodorizers and/or solvents into flush tanks or the like.

Briefly, this invention relates to an automatically operated valve which is adapted to deliver intermittently small quantities of liquid from a container, which deliveries are effected by the changing level of liquid in a reservoir within which the container is positioned. Specifically, means is provided within the valve to adjust and/or control the amount of delivery upon each intermittent cycle of operation.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a dispensing device which is so constructed and arranged that it may be placed and supported within the flush tank of a toilet for supplying the tank with a disinfectant or the like at predetermined intervals. In particular the said intervals are caused by the filling and discharging action of the water in the tank.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device which will dispense disinfectant and the like and is so constructed and arranged that it may be inserted Within the tank with the contents dispensed by the fluid actuated valve mechanism.

A still further object of this invention is to provide apparatus which is simple in construction, durable, efficient, and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon further reading of the specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the following illustrations which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view partly in cross section, of the dispensing apparatus in its lower position as of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 represents a partial sectional view of the valve apparatus of FIGURE 1 in its upper position and further represents the adjustable quantity dispensing feature of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is representative of an additional embodiment in accordance with this invention.

In the operation and description of this invention as shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, a container 10, composed of a synthetic resin for example polyethylene, includes a removable closure 12 for admitting disinfectant, deodorizers, and/r solvents therein. Brackets 14 are designed for clamping action to a vertical member within a flush tank, for example the overflow pipe 16. Terminating at the lower end of the bottle or container is an enlarged bearing surface 13 having an opening there though and adapted to receive outer sleeve 20. The opening in hearing surface 18 is adapted to permit longitudinal movement of sleeve 20 into and out of the bottle or container 10, as liquid level 21 changes. Sleeve 20 is preferably hollow as shown and is capped by member 22 which limits its movement downward. Terminating the lower end and movable within sleeve 20 is the inner stem 24 which is of solid material, such as a thermoplastic or the like. Fixably attached to the lower inner stem 24 is float member 26. Attachment is made Within an inner sleeve 27 of the float and secured either by glue or a friction fit. Longitudinally spaced along sleeve 20 is a multiplicity of openings 28, 29, 30 and 32 as shown. These openings are adapted to permit entry of disinfectant fluids normally Within bottle 10 when in the upper, inside position as shown in FIGURE 3. The ability of inner stem 24 to be frictionally and movably engaged within sleeve 20 permits its longitudinal adjustment therein to open or close all or parts of ports 28, 29, and 30 and hence permit a degree of adjustability of the quantity of disinfectant or the like. This is best described in FIGURE 3 wherein the top of inner sleeve 24 as shown in the dotted line is placed immediately above the opening 29 to close that port and lower port 23 and hence regulate the quantity of disinfectant.

In embodiment of FIGURE 4, upper sleeve 42 is adapted to be rigidly fixed with float 26 and includes inner stem 44 having cap 22. As shown by the dotted lines the inner stem and cap are movable to adjust the quantity of disinfectant entering into the inner chamber of sleeve 42 through openings 46, 48, 50 and 52.

Although this invention has been described with reference to specific and referred embodiments, it will be apparent, however, that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the in vention. Accordingly, this invention should be considered not to be limited to the embodiment herein described, but should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A device of the class described; a fluid container secured to a vertical overflow pipe within a flush tank, said container having a removable closure at the top end, and a valve seat at the lower end, a valve stem slideably mounted in said valve seat, said stem including an outer sleeve terminating its upper end with a cap inside said container, longitudinal perforations in said sleeve, a lower solid stem attached to a float outside said container, and adjustable within said sleeve with respect to said perforations to control the amount of said fluid in said sleeve.

2. A device of the class described; a fluid container secured within a flush tank, said container having a re movable closure at the top end, and a valve seat at the lower end, a valve stem slideably mounted in said valve seat, said stem including an outer sleeve terminating its lower end with a float outside said container, longitudinal perforations in said sleeve, an upper solid stem terminating its opper end with a cap inside said container, said stem adjustable within said sleeve with respect to said perforations to control the amount of said fluids in said sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,321,357 Bates Nov. 11, 1919 2,853,715 Ratclifie Sept. 30, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 16,210 Great Britain Sept. 10, 1892 

